West Allis, Wisc. — Donning capes, current and former workers at Rogers Behavioral Health will protest poor conditions for patients, severe understaffing and retaliation against workers who have expressed concerns about the treatment of the clinics’ patients beginning at 10:30 a.m., Thurs., June 25, outside the Rogers’ outpatient center in West Allis.
WHO/WHAT: Rogers employees and supporters — all wearing capes — will make statements and answer questions about changes in patient care and deteriorating working conditions, including Kate Zolandz, a therapist Rogers fired for wearing a cape during her lunch break. Rogers, a Wisconsin-based company, operates clinics across the state and nationally serving adults and children with severe mental health conditions, many of whom were previously hospitalized.
WHEN/WHERE: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 25 outside Rogers Behavioral Health West Allis Outpatient Center, 2424 102nd Street, West Allis.
In February, Rogers fired two nurse practitioners and the center’s only doctor after they and several coworkers informed managers that they were forming a union and asked for voluntary recognition. In April, shortly after workers voted 54-4 to become members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, Rogers fired two therapists for wearing costumes during their lunch break on the day of the union election as well as the front desk attendant for letting the three previously fired workers inside the facility to vote, which was their right under federal labor law.
Workers, who include therapists, nurses and mental health technicians, report that doctor visits are now only conducted via an iPad because there are no doctors in the facility, and that there is not enough staff to find missing patients or to cover some therapy groups.
Workers began organizing a union last year after Rogers eliminated one-on-one therapy for adults, doubled caseloads for clinicians and started using artificial intelligence – instead of licensed therapists – to triage patients, resulting in a sharp increase in inappropriate referrals for care.
“It’s stunning to see how spiteful Rogers executives are and how little they seem to care about the patients they’re supposed to be serving,” said Delaney O’Connor, the front desk worker who will also speak at the Thursday protest.
Rogers has continued to retaliate against its workers. Last month, Steve Hertig, Rogers vice president of regulatory affairs, filed a complaint against Zolandz’s license with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services simply for wearing a cape. On Monday, the agency declined to take action on the complaint, finding no indication of any violation. The company also challenged O’Connor’s eligibility for unemployment benefits after it fired her.
